​​PEARLAND – Switzerland-based Lonza Group is building a massive biotechnology facility here that will house​ at least 50 employees and will relocate the company's current Houston operations.​​

Lonza Houston Inc. and the Pearland Economic Development Council have been working on the deal since 2014. Construction is expected to begin in 2017.

The 100,000-sf facility will be on an 11-acre plot in the Lower Kirby district and will feature offices, laboratories​ and other space that will allow Lonza to more than double the production of its current viral gene and virally-modified therapeutics.